British Government plans to fly Union flag all year to enhance "Britishness"

Restrictions on public buildings flying the Union flag are to be lifted under Gordon Brown's plans to boost Britishness.

Ministers are expected to publish a white paper which will include proposals to allow schools, hospitals and council buildings to fly the flag all year round.

Legislation dating from 1924 means public buildings can only fly the Union flag 18 days a year, including the Queen's birthday and Remembrance Day.

The white paper proposes to allow them to erect flagpoles and fly the flags of the Union and those of its constituent countries, including the cross of St George, the Saltire of Scotland and the red dragon of Wales.